"I remember the Curia said, that's up to the American bishops, not up to Rome"

Hans Küng, a renowned Swiss Catholic theologian and often a critical voice within the Church, recounts a key moment reflecting the complex relationship between local church authorities and the Vatican. The Curia, referring to the administrative institutions of the Holy See in Rome, symbolizes centralized ecclesiastical power and decision-making in the Catholic Church. When Küng recalls their statement, “that's up to the American bishops, not up to Rome,” he is highlighting a rare instance of decentralization or local autonomy within a highly hierarchical system.

Such a comment underscores the principle of subsidiarity, which holds that matters ought to be handled by the smallest, lowest, or least centralized competent authority. In the Catholic context, this means that local bishops or bishops' conferences sometimes possess the freedom to address certain issues based on their particular pastoral circumstances. The Vatican’s willingness at times to defer to local episcopal bodies counters the typical expectation that ultimate authority rests in Rome. By pointing out this moment, Küng draws attention to the tension between central control and local governance, a constant negotiation in Catholic ecclesiastical life. This tension is particularly pronounced in the post-Vatican II era, where there was both an aspiration for more local autonomy and a renewed assertion of papal authority.

Additionally, the willingness of the Curia to leave a decision in the hands of American bishops may signal Rome’s recognition of cultural, social, or political realities unique to the United States, contexts that might require bishops to respond with greater flexibility or sensitivity than a top-down directive from the Vatican would allow. Yet, such moments are often exceptions rather than the rule; generally, matters of doctrine and significant policy remain under close Vatican scrutiny.

Küng’s reflection thus speaks to broader debates about authority, contextualization, and the adaptability of Catholic leadership, ultimately questioning where the balance should lie between tradition, universal teaching, and responsive, local church governance.